The Dacotah Territory Muzzle Loaders (DTML) was established in 1979 by four individuals who loved camping, fishing, canoeing, and black-powder rifles. Those Founders were David Blondo, Don Bachman, Gary Heuer and John Thelen. The DTML has been seen throughout the Great Plains in centennials, festivals, rendezvous’, and various other activities for 30 years.

The DTML is a non-profit, social organization. While there are individual members, the club has always encouraged family membership. Rendezvous (defined as a pre-1840, fur-trade era gathering) can be a wonderful, peaceful, and educational vacation for all family members.

DTML members have participated in the Ft. Sisseton Historical Festival since its creation over 30 years ago. The club has been represented at regional and national rendezvous for over two decades. The club’s own rendezvous, “Sweetwater” celebrated it’s 30th year in 2011 at Sweetwater Lake, northeast of Conde, SD. See an article from the Aberdeen American News on Sweetwater here. Come celebrate our 32nd year, September 6-8, 2013. The club's latest addition, "Drifting Goose" rendezvous will be May 24-27, 2013. Come, become part of history!

Since its inception, the club has had various meeting locations, ranging from the Bonanza steakhouse, the NWPS building, and the Bar’N Restaurant to its current location, the Millstone restaurant in Aberdeen. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7:30pm. All interested may attend. The club also hosts a Christmas party/Cabin Fever party during the cold season and has had 1- and 2-day canoe-trips on the James River when enough members are available.

The DTML has had as many range sites as it has had meeting places. In the early years, sites were located at Richmond Lake and a gravel pit near Ordway. The previous site of 15 years, located 20 miles southeast of Aberdeen along the James River, was destroyed by fire in 1999. The club’s current range, located just 15 miles south of Aberdeen, is quickly becoming a superb gathering place for club members on shoot days. The range offers targets from 25 to 100 yards, Primitive Range, a new clubhouse with 2 wood-burning stoves, archery and tomahawk targets, an open fire pit, and lots of shade trees. But don’t despair, there are still many needed clean-up days for you to exercise your club involvement once you join. The club holds regular shoots the third Sunday of each month.

2010 was the last year the club conducted an aggregate shooting contest. The club is looking for new shoot ideas for 2012 and future years. Got a good idea that keeps shooters coming back month to month? We'd love to hear it! Send us a note.

Like this website? Like the Links Page and no advertisements? You can help support this web portal by becoming a member of the Dacotah Territory Muzzle Loaders for only $10.00/year individually. That's cheap entertainment! See the Club Contacts page for an address to send your membership.